We leave the
hotel by van directly for Chinchero, a potato-growing town at an
elevation of approximately 3700 meters. During the hour-long ride,
we see remarkable views of the Vilcanota mountains.
Once in Chinchero
we may visit the ruins, which display a great mixture of both Inca
and Colonial building styles. We then get our bikes ready and depart
on the country road leading through the green and red patchwork
squares of the surrounding fields. This difference in color is due
to the variety of crops grown by the local farmers. Arriving at
the Huaypo lagoon we take a road along its border. A bit further
up, we enter the Huayllacocha and Mahuaypampa communities. We visit
one of the local houses, where we rest and enjoy our snack.
We continue
on the same road until we reach the terraces of Moray. Our guide
will take us down into these ruins and explain their function. It
is said that the ancient agricultural terraces of circular and concentric
shape, which were built by the Incas, were used as a seed-producing
area for the principal crops of the empire: maize and potato.
Before riding
on we have lunch at the top of Moray. After lunch we head our bikes
towards the town of Maras on a dirt road, the snow-capped peaks
of the Vilcanota Mountains before us. Maras is a typical town dedicated
to agriculture and cattle, with portals built during colonial times.
Crossing the
Plaza de Armas, we continue our ride down to Salineras (the saltpans).
We have two options: taking a single track all the way or the easier
part-paved and part-dirt road. Once at Salineras we get off our
bikes and watch (and perhaps participate in) the salt draining process.
The single track
that takes us into the Sacred
Valley requires some skill. Some people might prefer to walk
the very steep and narrow parts. The track leads us past Pichingoto,
a small village with houses built into the rocky slopes, giving
the place a unique appearance. From here we cross the Urubamba river
over a hanging bridge. It is a short ride back to the hotel. Our
journey has been mostly downhill.
